what sensor to detect heat from soldering iron to turn on fume fan?

Other Hardware Sensors
1

Hello, I am looking to make an automatic fume extractor fan, but looking for a sensor that can pick up the heat from the solder tip from around 1-2ft would an IR sensor do this? I looked into a flame sensor but that seems to work with just flame, not other hot items.

2

Consider thermal sensors, like the MLX90614, or the Grid Eye thermal imager.

3

thanks ordered a MXL to try out!

4

Hi CoffeeOutlaw

Alternately, consider a current sensor in the mains lead supplying the soldering iron, could easily be built into a plug socket (at least for UK sockets), and if it was a twin socket you could have the extractor fan plugged into the second socket controlled by a solid state relay.

Just a thought .. .

Best Regards

picclock